(Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010) – The Storm Water Quality Branch of the Department of Environmental Services (ENV) is holding the Pearl Harbor “Make-A-Difference Day” this Saturday, Oct. 23 with community volunteers to remove trash and weeds and help educate the public about keeping streams healthy.

More than 200 participants will spend approximately two hours cleaning the banks of Kapakahi Stream and the Puuloa Natural Spring near BlaisdellPark. Volunteers will also demonstrate healthy yard and clean stream practices, including weeding, using native plants and mulching. Free mulch will be provided by Hawaiian Earth Products.

Participants will include sailors from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, soldiers and civilians from Wheeler Army Airfield, and volunteers from Hula Halau o Olana, Aiea-Pearl City Business Association, Pearl City Lions Club, GeoTech Solutions, HPD District 3, WaipahuHigh School, Waipahu Community Coalition and other groups. Additional volunteers are welcome.

Cleanup work will begin at 8:30 a.m. and take approximately two hours. Volunteers will clear weedy overgrowth, amend soil, plant native shrubs and ground cover to stabilize the soil, mulch and gather green waste for disposal.

Supplies and designated trash bag pickup will be coordinated by the City’s Adopt-A-Stream and Adopt-A-Block programs. Volunteers should check-in by 8 a.m. near Kapakahi Stream at Waipahu Depot Road, across from the HonoluluPoliceAcademy; or near Puuloa Natural Spring across from Kaluamoi Drive, between BlaisdellPark and HECO Waiau.

Participants should dress to get dirty and bring drinking water, a hat, old shoes and sunscreen. All participants must sign a release form to participate. Release forms are available at cleanwaterhonolulu.com/storm/hero/adopt.html along with more information on ENV storm water community service activities.